Possibility of Using Fine Wood Strands for the Production of P5 Type Building Boards

Abstract

This paper investigated the possibility of using very fine wood chips for the production of P5 type building boards according to the EN 312 (2010) standard. Small wood chips are more evenly compressed during mat pressing because they have a high bulk density. Therefore, the beneficial effects of forming denser outer layers is lost. To achieve the desired shape of the density profile curve of a board, the moisture content of the chips used in the outer face layers was increased considerably (up to about 30%). As a result of the conducted tests, the mechanical properties of the manufactured boards met the EN 312 requirements for P5 boards above a density of 650 kg/m3. In cases when the additional conditions are being met, the standard requirements may be met at an even lower density level of approximately 550 kg/m3.